Bank protecting device



ug- 4, 1936- c. J. MEUNgER ET AL '2,049,969

' BANK PROTECTING DEVICE Filed Sept.. 4, l1954 7 Sheets-Sheet l QWN QNNH. OMBOY HMHWV "17 SheglgAs-Sheet 2 c. J. MEUNIER E- r AL BANKPROTEGTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 4, 1934 LEE.-

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Aug. 4, 1936. c. J. MEUNIER ET Al. 2,049,959

- BANK PROTECTING DEVICE Filed sept. 4', 1954 7 sheets-sheet s c.' J.MEUNIER ET AL BANK 'PRAOTEGTINGV DEVICE Aug. 4, 1936.

Filed Sept. 4, 1934 Fllf '5f 7 SheetS-Sheet 4 Aug- 4, 1935- c. J.MEUNIER ET Al. 2,049,969

BANK PROTECTING DEVICE Filled sept. 4, 1934 7 sheets-sheet 5 N\`\ I( om\,\ v N. Q w

QWN NNN' QNN NWN \NN NNN NNN QWN 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ug 4,- 1936 c. J.MEUNIER ET AL BANK PROTECTING. DEVICE Filed Sept. 4, 1934 QF N N I l llull.

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Aug. 4, 1936. c. J. MEUNIER ET AL.

BANK PROTECTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 4, 1954 y'7 Sheets-Sheet '7 PatentedAug. 4,y 1936 www BANK PROTECTING DEVICE l Christian J. Meunier andHarold Bomboy,

New Orleans, La.

Application September 4, 1934, Serial No. 742,7 00

Our invention has for an object to protect from robbery banks and otherplaces Where money is kept and handled, as for example, the cashiersdepartments of counting houses, stores, factories, mills, etc.A

' Further, itis an object of our invention to provide a cashiers counterWith means to guard the money and valuables thereon against theft byenclosing the money and/orvaluables so that l access thereto may notagain be had save at the Will of someone Who is outside the influence ofthe bandits. I i

Further, it is anobject toprovide means to stop the bandits from gettingthe money even l if the cashier, Vfor one reason or another, Wishes tovgive it to them and to put it entirely beyond the cashiers control.

Further, our invention has for an objectv to providea money counter witha closure or cover and 2O means operable at a number of differentplaces,

inv and about the building, or even at places remote from thebuildinginwhich the protected counter is located ,for actuating the closuresorcover in a manner to enclose and protect the 25 funds, i Y

Again, it is an object to provideoa counter in the general form ofUaroll-top desk, the top of which is automatically .closed and vlockedupon closing an electric circuit that is arranged .to be "0 closed froma number of places, and in which provision is made to eject from thecounter anything which would be in the Way of and likely to prevent thetop from closing down and becoming locked; a further objgect is toaccomplish this result Without injuring the cashier.

Further, it is an object to provide an auxiliary door for the banksafes, which door may be automatically closed and locked upon theapproach of a bandit without necessitating Y the closure of the outerdoors of the safes, which outer doors bear the time locks.

Further, it is an object to provide an auxiliary door for the vaultV orsafe which is composed of armor plates held rigidly as a unit but spacedapart, the plates being perforated at intervals, the perforations of oneplate being located out of register with those of the opposite plate inorder to prevent passage of bullets through the perforations and yetpermit air to pass through, so if someone becomes imprisoned in thevault when the door is automatically closed he Will not becomesuifocated. l

A further object is to provide an alarm bell in 55 each cashiers counterand in the safe or vault,

- part be pointed out hereinafter.

with means to setthe bells into operation immediately the operatingcircuit is closed to begin the closing of the counters and door in orderthat those in the vicinity maybe warned anda cashier' may remove hishands before the `cover closes 5 completely down on the counter.

Further, it is an object to provide means to permit the covers to closedown and lock even though the cashier does not get his hands out of theWay in time, and to do this vWithout injuring the cashiers hands. A

A further object is to provide a bank protecting system in which, afterthe operating circuit has once been closed and the counters and doorslocked, they may vnot be restored to their vnormal positions save by theuse of a key or keys in the hands of someone located at a placesufficiently remote as not to be under the control or influence of thebandits. Such a person, for instance, may be the Chief of Police Whoretains the keys at some secret location, for example.

Other objects Will in part beY obvious and in To the attainment of theaforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further residesin.the,25

novel details of construction, combination andA arrangement of parts,all of which will be first fully described in the following detaileddescription, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in whichz- Figure lisa plan vieW, largely in diagram, illustrating bank tellers or cashierscages set up.

. Figure 2 ,is an enlarged front elevation of a single counter unit withthe cover open.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the same on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a viewsimilar to Figure 3 With th top or cover closed.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3. Y

Figure 6 is a vertical section on rthe line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective View of a por- 45 tion of theinvention. l

Figure 8 is a detail section on the line 8--8 of Figure '4.

Figure 9\ is a detail section through one of the back check latches. V n

Figure 10 is a detail vieW illustrating how the` switch 53 is operatedon to open the circuit.

Figure 11 is a detail View showing the spring means for holding the flapdown. n 55 Figure 12 is a front elevation of a vault or safe equippedwith our safety door.

Figure 13 is a section on the line I3--I3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a detail horizontal section on the line Ill-I4 of Figure12.

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail of the catch releasing mechanism for thesafe door.

Figure 16 is a detail sectional view of a rolltop` or curtainconstruction which may be used Figure 17 is a diagrammatic view of theelectric circuits employed.

In the drawings in which like numerals of reference designate like partsin all the figures, I represents the usual cashiers cages and 2indicates the counters of which there may be any number desired andwhich may be constructed and operated as separate units or as one. InFigure 17 I have diagrammatically illustrated the operating shafts forthe covers of the several counters in the several cashiers cagesarranged for operation as one by a single motor, but as the constructionof each counter is substantially the same we'shall in the furtherdescription of our invention describe in detail only a unit counterwhich is best illustrated in Figures 2-5 inclusive, by reference towhich it will be observed that the counters are securely mounted onsupports 3 which are preferably firmly embedded in a suitable foundationor base 4 of concrete or other suitable material.

The counter in its entirety is preferably constructed of metal adaptedto resist explosives, such as armor plate or the like, and it may be ofany desired form and contain any of Vthe usual details such aspartitions, money recesses, etc., as are found in cashiers furniture. Asthese details, per se, form no part of our invention, we have notdisclosed them specifically nor shall we refer to them in detail herein.

In its general aspect a counter comprises a chambered bed 5, a chamberedback wall 6, a chambered top wall 1 and chambered sides 8. The spaceswithin the chamber portions are utilized to contain the operatingmachinery and the roll-top or curtain which constitute portions of ourinvention.

As will be seen particularly by reference to Figure 3, the numeral 9indicates the roll-top or curtain which is preferably formed ofinterlocking steel bars constituting a flexible structure, the forwardend of which is connected to va front cross bar IEI that carries arubber strip I I, the purpose of which will later appear.

Suitable roller guides I2 are provided over which the roll-top orcurtain 9 passes. The inner end of the curtain carries a cross bar 3|which cooperates with a stop 32 to limit the outward movement of theinner end of the curtain and prevent the same from being pulled out frombeneath the top 1 when in the closed position. The inner end of theroll-top or apron 9 beyond the bar 3| carries a section 9a: which isadapted to be rolled up on a drum 33 that is carried by a shaft 28, thepurpose of which will soon appear.

The sides 8 are provided with grooves I3 in which the ends of the crossbar Iii slide. Other grooves |311: are provided in which the side edgesof the roll-topor flexible curtain 9 ride.

Arranged ,at suitable intervals within the grooves I3 are spring latchesI4 (constituting reverse movement checking means) shown in detail inFigure 9, these latches having beveled ends so that the cross bar lilcan slide by in pass- Y turn the shaft I1.

ing downwardly but cannot pass upwardly. The spring latches I4 aredesigned to be withdrawn to permit the upward movement of the cross barI0 as the roll-top or curtain 9 is wound up and to this end a bell cranklever I5 is provided for each latch. The bell cranks I5 of all latchesare connected by flexible cables I6 to an arm I8 on the shaft I1 of thelock 23. The lock 2|! is of such construction that when the key 2| isinserted and turned the lock shaft turning wheel I9 will be connectedwith the shaft I1, but when the key is out the wheel I9 cannotV functionto The lock may be of the general type of those employed on automobiledoor handles or of the so-called coincidental types used in locking thegears and ignition circuits of automobiles. Since the generalconstruction Vof the lock is of a well known type, a detailedillustration of the same is thought to be unnecessary in this case.

Referring again-to Figures 3 and 7, it will be observed that 22represents the counter closing shaft which is provided with a back checkdevice comprising a ratchet 23 engaged by a pawl 24 for the purpose ofpreventing the shaft 22 from turning backward while permitting it toturn forward when drawing down or closing the rolltop or curtain 9. Thepawl 24, however, is arranged to be released when the key 2| is placedin the lock 2G and turned, by means of a flexible cable 25Y which isattached to a second arm 26 on the shaft I1.

The shaft 22 carries a gear 21, while the shaft 28 carries Va similargear 29. Between these gears, but arranged to engage only one of them ata time, is the pinion 3S on the shaft of the motor 31 that effects theclosing action of the roll-top or curtain 9. This closing action istransmitted to the roll-top or curtain 9 by means of one or more arms 33secured to the shaft 22 and the cross bar Ill and located preferablyadjacent the side wall or walls 8.

The motor 31, as best indicated in Figure 5 and Figure 6, is pivotallymounted on a vertical axis as at 35 to a support 34, and the motor hasan arm 36 by means of which it may be turned on its'pivot to bring thepinion 38 into mesh with either the gear 21 or 29.V Normally the pinion38 is in mesh with the gear 21 but when the key 2| is inserted in thelock 2li and the wheel I9 is turned, the motor is rocked to put thepinion out of mesh with the gear 21 and into mesh with the gear 29. Thismovement may be accomplished by means of connecting rods 39 and 4I, anda suitable bell crank 40 as best indicated in Figure 7. The connectingrod 4I from the bell crank 4)V is attached to the arm 26 on the lockshaft I1 so that when the lock shaft is turned for the purpose ofwithdrawing the latches I4 and releasing the pawl 24 it will at the sametime effect the shifting of the motor from the operative connection withthe shaft 22 to the operative connection with shaft 28.

In order to throw off any obstructions on the edge of the counter whichmight prevent the bar I0 reaching its lowermost locked position weprovide a hinged flap 50 that is hinged on a shaft 5| and ts within anopening in the bed 5 so that it will normally lie with its upper faceush with the upper face of the bed. When, however, the electric circuitis closed (as will hereinafter more clearly appear) to energize themotor 31 which operates the shaft 22, the hinged ap 50 will be raisedbefore the bar I0 comes into'its proximity. The flap 50 which isnormally held relay 66.

down'by suitable means, as'rqr instance@ vente springm?, is raised bycams 48 on a shaft 41V which is operated by a mutilatedv worm gear 46'that meshes with another worm gear' 45 on an I. of the cams 48 asuitable light spring, such as a volute spring 48, may be provided. 4

53 designates a circuit opening switch. This switch is of a well knowntype, suchV as is frequently used in closets for automatically turningon the light when a closet door is opened and which, when the closetdoor is closed, will auto-K.

matically open the circuit. The switch 53 is ar'- ranged, however, tooperate in a reverse manner to that of the closet door switch referredto;

That is to say, the spring action tends to keep the'circuit closedinstead of opening it'. The switch 53is so positioned that a inger 54 onone of theV arms 33 will'moverthe switch to open the circuit just as thebar I8 reaches its lowermost position.

Referring now especially to Figure 17, it will be seen that weV providea main relay 55 having amagnet 56 connected in the circuit 63 whichcontains the source of electrical energy '(preferablya storage battery)62 and which contains the circuit closers 64. The circuit closers 64 aredistributed at different points" in and about the bankv or otherbuilding which is to be'protected in order that theyV may be operated byany of a lnumber of persons at different places. lThe circuit closers 64may be of any type, some push buttons, some switches and vothers may beactuated by sound waves. i Y

- Thus it will be seen that whena circuit closer S4 Yis operated themagnet 56 of relay 54 will.

AstopV 58' limits the upward movement of'the armature 51.

65 'is the operating circuit. This circuit ,in-

cludes the battery 62, magnet 56, armature'; fixed contact 6I and themagnet 310i' a second The circuit 55'is provided with master fuses 11 inbox 14 for opening the circuit in event of Va -dangerous overload on thewires.

The relay 66 is provided for the purpose of closing a power circuit10-1I which contains one or more sirens 12 and gongs 13 which may belocated on the outside of the building being protected and/or at theoffice of the Chief of Police of the city or the omce of the captain ofthe precinct in which the protected building is located. The signals 12and 13 are preferably operated from the outside power lines 1I! whichsupply the electricity for lighting and other purposes. So far asdescribed, it will be seen that when a circuit closer 64 is operatedrelay 55 closes and locks, and at the same time relay 6B becomesenergized to close the circuit 18-1I and operate the distant signals.

Inr Figure 17 we have illustrated diagrammatically the invention asapplied to three counter units and one bank vault auxiliary door unit.It is obvious, however, that if all of the counters of the bank areoperated from a single motor, only one motor need be provided, such as31. Each counter units circuit opening switch' 53 is con-v nected inseries in the sub-circuit 16 of the motor 31,v thesub-circuit '|6"incl`uding the fuses 18 in thesub-circuit fuse box 15. By'referring new moreparticularly to Figures l2`A andj13, the construction of the auxiliarydoor forthe vault or safe will be clearly understood. The wall of thesafe lis built to enclose an operating motor 19 which is geared downthrough a reducing gear train ||l5-|0`|01|88 to engage the teeth |28 ofthe rackbarA |89; the rack bar being secured'to the sliding door I I0.

In Figures 12 and 13 the number |00 designates the '-'vault (whichfmaybe of Athe ordinary constructionl and,"pe'r`s'e, constitutes no part ofour invention)` and |83 indicates the vault door frame to' which theusual doors `I|i| (which carry the time locks ,etc.) are hinged. Theframe |83 is recessed at H12-|82 for the'reception of the subframe orcasing H3 in which the door' I I8 operates. The casing I3 includesgrooved trackways |84 Vin which the door slides. The sliding door I I8is vpreferably formed witha'chamber or space I'II. The side plates'ofthe door are provided with air holes H2, those of one side plate beingout of register with those of the other so that the banditmay not vbyring through the holes in the outer face of the door cause the bulletsto pass through holes in the inner face of the door. Y s

The sub-frame' I I3 is provided with fixed rods H4. These rods I I4serve as ay holding means for cooperating with the pivot catches H5.These catches are pivoted on xed pivotsV I I6, and normally rest againststops I I1, theyl being held against the stops by suitable means, as forex' ample volute springs H8 (seeFigure l5). `The pivoted catches H5 havebeveled' ends |25 and catch rod receiving recesses H9, the latter lying`over the catch rods I'I4 when the door is closed.

' Suitable meansV are provided for unlatching the door when desired. Weprefer to arrange the latches |`I5in two groups, an upper and a lowergroup. "When this is'thecase the means for releasing the'latches mayconsist of connecting rods 2| and |22 for the'Y respective groups, theconi n'ecting rods at their adjacent" ends being pro- The door isrecessed at |23 and inrthis recessV is mounted the latch `releasingordisengaging wheel |38' and the lock |32 which cooperates therewith.The lock is of a construction whereby when the key |33 is inserted andturned the wheel |38 will be connected with the shaft of a pinion I3| sothatbyturning the whel |38 the pinion I3! is turnedrto move the wedgeoperating bar |25 in a direction to force the wedges |23 apart andthereby rock the catches H5 so as to disengage the rods I I4, it beingunderstood that the bar |25 has rack teeth |31 for meshing with thepinion I3I.

Returning now to a further examination of the diagram, Figure I1, itwill be noted that the safe door operating motor 19 is preferablyactuated by an auxiliary battery S8 through the medium of relay 8| onewinding of the magnet 82 of which is connected in the circuit 65. 'Iherelay 8| has its armature 83 connected through a second winding ofthe'magnet 82 to battery 88.

84 designates the xed contact of the relay 8| which is connected by oneof the wires 92 of the sub-circuit to a pole 'changing switch controlledby a suitable lock 88.

and 86 designate circuit opening switches 75 which normally hold thecircuit closed, but which are actuated by the door for opening thecircuit. For instance, when the sliding door is in the closed or lockedposition it will have engaged4 the Vbutton of the switch 85, pushed itin and opened the circuit at that place, Whereas as the sliding doorreaches the fully opened position the rack bar 99 will push the buttonof switch 86 in and open the circuit at that point.

81 designates generally' the lock controlled reversing or pole changingswitch, which includes a sha-it 89 that carries the pole changers 99,the latter cooperating with the contact groups 93-99 and @fl-95. Thewire 92 from the contact 84 runs to the left hand contact 95 and theright hand contact 95 of the switch 81, while the other wire 92 frombattery 89 runs to the right hand Contact 95 and the left hand contact96 of the switch 91. One of the wires 9| from the "Emotor 19 isconnected directly tothe right hand Contact 93 and indirectly throughswitch 85 to the left hand contact 93 of the reversing switch 81; theother wire 9i lfrom motor 19 connects directly to the leit hand Contact99 of the switch '-81 and indirectly through switch 86 to the right handcontact 99, see Figure 1'7. When the key 91 is inserted in the lock 88the shaft 89 may be turned to-reverse the connections of switch 8l andthereby effect a reversal of the motor Normally when the key 91 is outof the lock 98, the parts are positioned asrshown in diagram in Figurel1 so that the motor 19 is ready at all times to move the open door ||llto the closed position.

Each counter unit is provided with a signal bell 39 connected to ringwhenever the motor 31 of that unit is energized. Each counter unit isalso provided with a circuit closer consisting of a fixed contact 98 anda movable contact 99.

These contacts 98 and 99 are associated with the lock 28 so that whenthe key 2| is inserted'to enable the shaft I1 to be turned, as soon asthe shaft has been turned to its maximum degree, the circuit'betweencontact 98 and 99 will be closed temporarily to short-circuit theswitches 5S and enable the current to flow to the moter 91 for resettingpurposes.

Another pair of contacts |34 and |35 are provided in the circuit 65 inparallel with contacts and these contacts i3d-|35 are associated withthe lock 29 similarly to the contacts 98 and 99 and are adapted to beclosed at the saine time. Y

Operation Assume the parts to be positioned as diagrammaticaliyillustrated in Figure 1'1, and that a bandit or bandits have entered thebank for the purpose of robbing it. Anyone seeing or knowing of thepresence of the bandits, and being adjacent a circuit closer 99, willclose the circuit 63'. Circuit 98 being closed by the circuit closer,current will then iiow from battery 62 through circuit to energizemagnet 5570i relay 55. This causes armature 51 of that relay to bepulled tors31 of the respective counter units. As the motors 31 are indriving engagement with the shafts 22 of the respective units they willthus begin to draw down the roll-tops or curtains 9 to close thecounters as hereinbefore described. As Vsoon Vas the curtain of acounter has been closed down, switch 53 is opened and held open by thefinger 54thus breaking the motor circuit. As soon as circuit 85 has beenenergized current will alsoflow through the alarm bell |36 of the unitand warn the cashier to get his hands out of the way. When the circuit65 is closed by relay 55 the current also iiows through one of thewindings of magnet` 82 of the relay 8|, thereby closing the circuitbetween contacts 83 and 84 of relay 8|. Current then flows from battery80 through the sub-circuit 92,l further energizing magnet 82;to hold thearmature 83 down. (A latch |38 similar to latch 58 of Figure 17 may beused if desired.)

Current now flows from battery 80 through motor -19 via the polechanging switch. This starts motor 19 to turning for the purpose ofclosing the door H0. As soon as the door H shall have reached its closedposition the circuit of themotor 19 will be opened by switch 85 asbefore described. All of the counters and the" safe or vault have nowbeen protected against the bandits. Alarms 12 and 13 are still ringing,but current has been shut 01T from motors 31 and 19.

In order to restore the parts'to their normal positions after thetrouble is over, someone releases the armature 51 of relay 55 by movinglatch 58 manually out of engagement with armature 51, thereby openingcircuit 65 and consequently relay 66 opens the sub-circuit 1|, stoppingthe signals 12 and 13. He next inserts the key 2| into the lock 29 andturns wheel I9 to release latches i4', pawl 24 and shift motor 31 to aposition to drive shaft 28 of the respectve counter unit. As soon asthese parts shall have been shifted contacts |34 and |35 will be closedand contacts 98 and 99 closed, thereby re-energizing circuitY 65 topermit current to flow around the switches 53 to the motors 31, therebyraising or winding up the roll-tops or curtains 9 of the respeotiveunits. As soon as these curtains shall have been raised the wheel I9 isturned back and contacts i3d-35 and 98-99, respectively, open up tode-energize the circuit 65.

During this time the circuit of motor 19 remains closed at relay 8|. Thekey |33l is inserted into the lock |39 and the catches ||5 released. Thekey 91 is nowfinserted into the lock 88 and shaft 89 vis rocked tochange the polarity of the current to the motor 19, thereby reversing Yit and moving the door back to the open position under the power of themotor. The door ||0 may be mounted on roller bearings |39 so that ifdesired it may be moved to the open position manually. After the doorstarts to open key |33 is Withdrawn so as to free the catches I andallow them to assume their normal positions.

Having opened the door, the shaft'89 is turned back torestore the switch81 to the lposition shown in Figure 17, after which the key 91 isremoved as is also key 2|. Latch |38 in relay 8| is now moved to releasearmature 83, whereupon the parts will be restored to the normalposition, as shown` in Figure 17, and the cycle of operation will havebeen completed.

The fuse boxes 14 and 15 are provided for the usual safety purposes, itbeing understood that under normal operating conditions these fuses dohot blow, but if for any reason an overload on the lines should occur,one or more of the fuses will blow to protect the circuits. It shouldalso be understood that the circuit closers 64 are normally open andwhen not engaged remain open.

A suitable signal |45 (see Figure 17) may be located in the vault at anyconvenient place to be set into operation when motor 'I9 is energized,thereby warning persons within the vault that the door is being closed.

By including the magnet 56 of the relay 55 in the local motor operatingcircuit 65, as well as in the circuit 63 (the magnet being double woundif desired), the latch 58 may be dispensed with and the relay 55 becomeself-operating when circuit 65 is opened, the magnet 56 when energizedby closed circuit 55 serving to keep that circuit closed betweenarmature 51 and contact 6l.

The latches 58 and 138 are in the nature of safety devices to obtain apositive closing of the circuits even Vthough the operating magnetsshould, accidentally or otherwise, become de-en- Y ergized before thecycles of operations of the remaining mechanisms are completed; or ifthe magnets 55 and 82 should be single-wound magnets, then the latcheswould be necessary, Darticularly if the circuit closures 64 are of theselfopening type.

In the practical use of our invention it is the intention that themaster key or keys be kept outside of the bank at some source where theywill not be under the control or influence of the bandits, ashereinbefore mentioned, and furthermore in order to prevent the banditsfrom interfering with the operations of the safety devices, all wiring,the fuse boxes and switches contained in the system will be wellprotected by embedding the same in suitable armor or concrete andlocating the fuse boxes and relays in concealed places. Since the onlywireswhich enter or leave the building are the power wires 7l) andsignaling sub-circuit wires 1l, it matters little if these wires arecut, since that would not interfere with the proper functioning of thecounter and vault protecting instrumentalities.

By locating the control switches at various places about the bank atconvenient locations to the employees and officers of the bank, anyoneknowing of the presence of robberscan throw the switch to set the systeminto operation, thereby shutting offV access to the money in the tellerscages and in thevault so that no matter what else the bandits may dothey will notv be able to get any money. As the obtaining of money isthe thing that bandits hold up a bank for, the fact that they are thusprevented from getting the funds will stop them and other banditsknowing thereof from holding up banks so protected. f As the cashier isthe one whoY is usually molested and whose life is usually indanger, thefact that he cannot open the counters or vaults even under duress willcause all bandits, when they come to know this, to leave all placesprotected by our invention entirely alone.

Not only may the circuit closing switches be located within the bankproper, but they may be located in public places where anyone seeing abank held up may operate the,y switch to setI the safety system intooperation. y Therefore if a bank is held up by a number of bandits andall of the bank clerks and executives are underv duress so that none ofthem can operate the secret switches, nevertheless an outsider seeingthe holdup can close one of the public switches and effect the operationof the safety system.

While we Yprefer to us a roll-top closure in our invention, the designor form of the counter may be such that a cylindrical segment or rigidclosure may be used. Other modifications of the structure will readilyoccur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.y 4While we havedisclosed the roll-top operated by two arms, one at each side, it isobvious that We do not wish to be limited to any particular number ofarms employed for this purpose In, disclosing our invention in thisapplication we have endeavored to disclose a preferred workableembodiment, as illustration thereof, and it is not our intention to beunderstood as limiting the invention to the specic details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts shown, save in so far as thoselimitations may be included in the appended'claims.

While we have described our inventionA as 20 adapted for use in banks,counting housesand other xed places where money is handled over thecounter, we do not desire to be limited to these particular uses as theinvention may be used wherever it Ymay be found to be adaptable. 25

For instance, the auxiliary safe door may be employed as an auxiliarydoor for armored cars which carry money and valuables.

While in this application we have disclosed our invention as including aprotecting mechanism 30 for a vault (see Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15) wedo not in this application make claim to thevault feature specifically,as that constitutes the subject-matter of our divisional application ledJanuary 31, 1935, Serial No. 4396.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it is thought that the complete construction,operation and advantages of our inventionV will be clear to thoseskilled in the art to which it appertains.

What we claim is:

1. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a'money counter, said mechanism comprising means including anelectric motor for closing and opening the same, means to hold theclosure against opening movement after it has started on `its closingmovement, a master lock mechanism, an electric circuit for actuatingsaidmotor, at least one circuit closer for eifecting a closing of saidcircuit to operate the motor to move the movable closure to close thecounter, and means cooperative with said master lock mechanism forreleasing said closure holding means and effecting the action of saidmotor to reopen the counter.

2. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement Y of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising means including anelectric motor for closing and opening the counter, means to hold theclosure against opening movement `after it has started on its closingmovement, a master lock mechanism, an electric circuit for actuatingsaid motor, at least one circuit closer for effecting a closing of saidcircuit to operate the motor to move said movable closure to close thecounter, and means cooperative with said master lock mechanism forreleasing said closure holding means and eifecting the action of saidmotor to reopen the counter, and means for throwing off from the counterobstructions to the complete closing of said movable closure. c

3. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising means in- 'cludinga closure closing shaft, a closure opening shaft and an electric motorto operate said shafts, gear connections between said motor and saidshafts, said motor being shiftably mounted for connection with one shaftat a time, means normally maintaining said motor connected to saidclosure closing shaft, a back check device cooperative with closureclosing shaft, an electric circuit for said moto-r, a lock' cooperatingwith said means for the purposes described, at least one circuit closerfor closing said electric circuit to actuate the motor and close saidclosure, and means cooperative with said lock for shifting said motorfrom said closing shaft to said opening shaft to effect the reopening ofthe counter.

4.' Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising means including aclosure closingpshaft, a closureopening shaft and an electric motor tooperate said shafts, gear connections between said motor and saidshafts, said motor being-shiftably Vmounted for connection With oneshaft at a time, means normally maintaining said motor connected to saidclosure f closing shaft, a back check device cooperative with closureclosing shaft, an electric circuit for said motor, a lock cooperatingwith said means for the purposes described, at least one circuit closurefor closing said electric circuitto actuate the motor and close saidclosure, means for opening the motor circuit when the counter is closed,and means cooperative with said lock for shifting said motor from saidclosing shaft to said opening shaft and for again closing the circuit toenergize said motor.

5. Mechanism for op-erating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising means including aclosure closing shaft, a closure opening shaft and an electric motor tooperate said shafts, gear connections between said motor and said Ishafts, said motor being shiftabl-y mounted for connection with oneshaft at a time, means normally maintaining said motor connected to saidclosure closing shaft, a back check device cooperative with closureclosing shaft, an electric circuit for said motor, a lock cooperatingwith Said means for the purposes described, at least one circuit closerfor closing said electric circuit to actuate the motor and close saidclosure, means cooperative with said lock for shifting saidmotor fromsaid closing shaft to said opening shaft to effect the reopening of thecounter, reverse move'- ment checking means cooperating directly withsaid closure, .and means also cooperative with said lock for releasingsaid back check device and said reverse movement checking means topermit the motor to reopen thecou-nter.

6, Mechanism for Voperating and controlling theV movement of a movableclosure of amoney counter, said mechanism comprising means i'ncludingraclosure closing shaft, a closure opening shaft and an electric motor tooperate said shafts, gear connections between said motor andsaid shafts,said motor being shiftably mounted for connection with one shaft at atime, means nor- VInally maintaining said motor connectedto said closureclosing shaft, a back check device cooperative with closure closingshaft, an electric circuit for said moto-r, a lock cooperating with saidmeans for the purposes described,. at least one circuit closer forclosing `said electric circuit to actuate the motor and close saidclosure, means vfor opening the motor circuit when the counter closed,means cooperative with said lock for shifting vsaid motor from saidclosing shaft to said opening shaft and for again closing the circuitVto energize said motor, reverse movement checking means cooperatingdirectly with said closure, means also cooperative with said lock for 5releasing said back check device and said reverse movement checkingmeans to permit the motor to reopen the counter.

7. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising electricallyoperated means` to close and open the counter, said means including anelectric motor, a closure moving mechanism including a pair of operatingShafts, one for closing the counter and the other for opening it, anelectric motor normally operatively connected to said counter closingshaft, means including a lock device for effecting the operativerelations between said motor and said shafts and having means in virtueof which when said lock device is unlocked said motor may be shiftedinto operative connection with either shaft, and an electric circuit forsaid motor which includes circuit closers.

8. Mechanism for operating and controlling 2 the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising electricallyoperated means to close and open the counter, said means including anelectric motor, a closure moving mechanism including a pair of operating30 shafts, one for closing the counterrand the other for opening it, anelectric motor normally operatively connected to said counter' closingshaft, means including a lock device for effecting the operativerelations between said motor and said shafts and having means in virtueof which when saidlock device is unlocked said motor may be shifted intooperative connection with either shaft", an electric circuit for saidmotor which includes circuit closers for closing the motor circuit, andmeans including said lock device for controlling the opening action ofsaid motor.

9. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising means foractuating the closure and including a motor and operative connectionsbetween said motor and the closure, means including alock device fornormallly maintaining said motor connected for moving the closure toclose the counter, closure latches, an electric circuit including saidmotor and at least one circuit closer for effecting operation of saidmotor, means to open the circuit to cut out said motor when the counterhas become closed, and means cooperative with said lock device whenunlocked for shifting the motor connections and' reclosing the circuitto move the closure toreopen the coun-ter.

10. In apparatus of the character described, a cashiers counter having amovable closure, (50l means for actuating said closure and including amotor and operative connections betweenI said motor and' said closure,means including a lock device for normally maintaining said motorconnected' for closing the counter, closure back check 6,5l latches, anelectric circuit including said motor and at least one circuit closerfor' effecting op'- eration of said motor, means toopen the circuit tocut out said'v motor when the counter has become closed, andv meanscooperativel with said 70 lock device when unlocked' for shifting themotor connectionsrand reclosing the circuit to reopen the counter saidmovable closure having; a yeldable edge-strip' for purposes'v described.

11. In apparatusI of` the character described,

a cashiers counterhaving a downwardly closing movable closure, means foractuating said closure and including a motor and operative connectionsbetween said motor and said closure, means including a lock device fo-rnormally maintaining said motor connected for closing the counter,closure back check latches, an electric circuit including said motor andat leas-t one circuit closer for effecting operation of said motor,means to open the circuit to cut out said motor when the counter hasbecome closed, means cooperative with said lock device when unlocked forshifting the motor connections and reclosing the circuit to reopen thecounter, and means to throw off any obstructing articles from thecounter which might be in the way of said closure as it is being closed.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a stationary counter havinga downwardly closing closure, means to move said closure to its closedand open positions, and means to throw off from the counter any articleswhich may obstruct the full closing of the closure.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a

stationary counter having a downwardly closing closure, means to movesaid closure to its closed and open positions, and means to throw offfrom the counter any articles which may obstruct the full closing of theclosure, said throwing off means comprising a hinged flap and means tooperate it in time before the closure reaches its close-d position andto restore it after the closure has started to move to its openposition.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a stationary counter havinga downwardly closing closure, means to move said closure to its closedand open positions, means to throw off from the counter any articleswhich may obstruct the'full closing of the closure, and locked means forhol-ding the closure against reverse movement after it has started toclose.

15. In apparatus of the character described, a counter having adownwardly closing closure, means to move said closure to its closed andopen positions, means to throw oi from the counter any articles whichmay obstruct the full closing of the closure, said throwing off meanscomprising a hinged flap and means to operate it in time before theclosure reaches its closed position and to restore it after the closurehas started to move to its open position, and locked means for holdingthe closure against reverse movement after it has started to close.

16. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising a motor forclosing and opening the counter, an electric circuit for said motor,means to lock said closure in the closed position, means controlled bysaid closure for opening the motor circuit when the closure has becomelocked, and means cooperative with said circuit and including akey-controlled lock device for effecting a reverse action by the motorand for releasing said closure lock.

17. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of a movableclosure of a money counter, said mechanism comprising means including anelectric motor for moving the closure, a primary electric circuitincluding at least one circuit closer and a source of energy an-d amagnet of a first relay, a motor circuit including an armature and a xedcontact of said relay and including a source of energy, whereby when acircuit closer is closed said relay will close the motor circuit, saidrelay including means to hold and a key releasable lock mechanism havingf means to recloseV the motor circuit around said switch and havingmeans to reverse the action of the motor to open the counter when thelock mechanism is unlocke-d by its key.

18. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movement of av movableclosure of va money counter, said mechanism comprising a power linecircuit, a motor for operating the closure, a local circuit for saidmotor and including a source of energy, an actuating circuit Vincludingcircuit closers at diierent locations and including a source of energy,a relay whose magnet is connected in said actuating circuit and whosearmature and xed contact are connected in said local circuit, meanscooperative with the closure for opening the motor circuit thereof whenthe closure is fully closed, a key-controlled vlock device for the motorand its circuit which device when unlocked will cause the motor to movethe closure to open the counter.

19. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movements of a movableclosure of a money counter and giving an alarm in cooperation with theclosing movement thereof, comprising a power line circuit; alarmsignals; an alarm signal circuit in which said signals are contained; amotor for operating the closure; a local circuit for said motor andincluding a source of energy; an actuating circuit including circuitclosures at different locations and including a source of energy, afirst relay whose magnet is connected in said actuating circuit andwhose armature and fixed contact are connected in said local circuit; asecond relay whose magnet is connected to said local circuit to beenergized when said local circuit is closed by said rst relay and whosearmature and fixed contact are connected in sai-d alarm signal circuit;means cooperative with the closure for opening said local circuit whenthe closure is. fully closed; a key controlled lock device for themotor, which device when unlocked will effect the motor to set it to aposition for moving the counter to its open position; said second relaybeing adapted to open the alarm circuit when the local circuit is openand said iirst relay being adapted to open the circuit through themagnet of said second relay when the magnet of said first relay isde-energized; and means for again closing said local circuit to actuatesaid motor to open the counter Without again closing said alarm circuit.

20. Mechanism for operating and controlling the movements of a movableclosure of a money counter and giving an alarm in cooperation with theclosing movement thereof, comprising a power line circuit; alarmsignals; an alarm signal circuit in which said signals are contained; amotor for operating the closure; a local circuit for said motor andincluding a source of energy; an actuating circuit including circuitclosures at -xh'fferent locations and including a source of energy, aiirst relay whose magnet is connected in said actuating circuit andwhose armature and fixed contact are connected in said local circuit; asecond relay whose magnet is connected to said local circuit to beenergized when said local circuit is closed by said'rst relay and whosearmature and xed contact are connected in said alarm signal circuit;means cooperative with the closure for opening said local circuit whenthe closure is fully closed; a key controlled lock device for the motor,

which device when unlocked will effect the'motr to set it to a positionVforrxm'ving'the counter to its open -position; Vsaid second relay'being adapted to open the Valarm circuit when the local circuit is openand said rst relay being adapted to open the circuit through the magnetof vsaid sec` `ond relay when the magnet of said rst relay `is HQB'`de'er1e1"gized; and means cperative with said "lock device for againlclosing said local circuit to a'ctuate said 'moto'r `to pen the counterwith'- out again closing said alarm'circuit.

CHRISTIAN JQMEUNIER. HAROLD BQMBOY.

